Published on 23 Feb 2025
Despite India’s overall growth, vast swathes of rural and remote areas lag behind in development, categorized as "backward areas." The extent of this disparity is stark. According to a 2020 report by the NITI Aayog, over one-third (36%) of India's districts fall under the category of "backward regions."
Reasons for Backwardness (Geographical factors)
Spatial Disparities: Different geographical regions in India face unique challenges due to variations in terrain, climate, and resource availability. These disparities contribute to uneven development across the country.
Geographical Isolation and Connectivity: Remoteness from major cities and transportation networks, coupled with inadequate infrastructure within these regions, hinders access to markets, essential services, and economic opportunities.
Resource Distribution and Exploitation: The uneven distribution of natural resources like fertile land, water, and minerals across India creates limitations for development in some regions. Additionally, overexploitation of resources can lead to environmental degradation.
Region-wise backwardness
Mountainous regions: The Himalayas (Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand) - Rugged terrain restricts infrastructure development and agriculture. Harsh winters limit growing seasons.
Plateau regions: The Deccan Plateau (parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh) - Lower rainfall compared to coastal areas restricts irrigation and agricultural productivity.
Arid and semi-arid regions: The Thar Desert (Rajasthan, Gujarat) - Scarce water resources limit agriculture and economic activities reliant on water.
Coastal regions: Eastern coastal areas (Odisha) - Vulnerable to cyclones causing infrastructure damage and displacement. Some coastal areas (Gujarat) face issues with soil salinity affecting agriculture.
Remote locations: Tribal areas in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh - Isolation limits access to markets, education, and healthcare.
North-Eastern states: Arunachal Pradesh - Challenging terrain with limited road connectivity restricts trade and access to essential services.
Resource distribution: Chhotanagpur Plateau (Jharkhand) - Rich in mineral resources, but benefits haven't translated to overall development.
Indus-Ganga plains: Fertile land concentrated in this region makes it more suitable for agriculture compared to drier areas.
Punjab: Excessive groundwater use for irrigation has led to a decline in water tables, impacting agricultural sustainability.
Challenges faced by the backward regions
Limited Jobs & Income: Few industries, low skill sets, and reliance on basic agriculture restrict economic growth.
Market Disconnect: Remoteness and poor infrastructure make selling goods and accessing markets difficult.
Education & Health Gaps: Low literacy rates and inadequate healthcare hinder development.
Social Disparities: Gender inequality and the caste system restrict opportunities for certain communities.
Infrastructure Deficits: Lack of basic infrastructure like roads, electricity, and sanitation cripples development.
Environmental Challenges: Overexploitation of resources and climate vulnerability hinder progress.
Measures for Backward area development
Government Policies:
Financial Assistance Schemes:
Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF): Provides financial support to states for focused development in identified backward districts.
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY): Aims to connect rural habitations with all-weather roads, improving accessibility.
Social Development Initiatives:
Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY): Encourages Members of Parliament to adopt a village and work towards holistic development in areas like education and healthcare.
Skill Development Programs: Programs like Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) have trained millions in various skills, leading to increased employability and income generation in rural areas.
Infrastructure Development Programs:
National Rural Infrastructure Mission (NRLM): Invests in rural infrastructure development like irrigation, sanitation, and rural roads.
Bharat Net Project: Aims to provide broadband connectivity to villages, facilitating access to information and services.
Other Initiatives:
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Encourages companies to undertake social development projects in backward areas. Companies like Tata Trusts and Reliance Foundation have implemented successful initiatives in areas like education, healthcare, and sustainable agriculture.
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Play a vital role by implementing grassroots-level projects focused on education, healthcare, women's empowerment, and environmental sustainability. SEWA (Self Employed Women's Association) is an example of an NGO that has empowered women in rural areas through microfinance initiatives and skill development programs.
Community Development Initiatives: Empower local communities to identify needs and participate in development projects. The Watershed Management Programs, implemented with community participation, have successfully addressed soil erosion and improved water management practices in rural areas.
Way forward
Effective Implementation: Streamlining processes and ensuring efficient project implementation to maximize the impact of allocated resources.
Focus on Sustainability: Promoting environmentally-friendly development practices that protect resources and ensure long-term benefits.
Addressing Social Inequities: Targeting programs towards disadvantaged communities like women, minorities, and tribal populations to ensure inclusive development.
Monitoring and Evaluation: Regularly monitoring progress and evaluating the effectiveness of implemented schemes to make necessary adjustments for optimal outcomes.
Geography
BACKWARD AREA DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Reasons for Backwardness (Geographical factors)
Region-wise backwardness
Challenges faced by the backward regions
Measures for Backward area development
General Studies Paper 1
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